Boom Gaspar
Boom Gaspar |
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Kenneth E. Gaspar (born 1953 in Waimānalo, Hawaii), more commonly known as Boom Gaspar, is an American piano/keyboard/organ player. He has performed with the American rock band Pearl Jam since 2002.
Biography
Early life
Boom Gaspar grew up in Waimānalo, Hawaii. He started playing music when he was 11 years old.[1]
Musical career
Early work
After graduating from Kailua High School, Gaspar spent the next thirty years doing local shows throughout Hawaii with acts such as the Mackey Feary Band, Harmony, Simplisity, and blues guitarist Albert Collins.
Brock Gaspar, Boom's son, a native of Ludlow, Ma. is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a member of Theta Chi Fraternity.
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder first met Gaspar while in Hawaii.[2] Gaspar was introduced to Vedder through C. J. Ramone.[1] Gaspar has appeared on the Pearl Jam albums Riot Act (2002) and Pearl Jam (2006). He has a songwriting credit for the song "Love Boat Captain" which is on Riot Act. According to Gaspar, the song initially developed out of a jam session he had with Vedder shortly after the two first met. When they were done, Vedder asked Gaspar if he was "ready to go to Seattle."[3] He has become known for his long solos during "Crazy Mary", a song originally written by Victoria Williams, which has become a fan favorite during live Pearl Jam shows. This often culminates in a guitar/organ duel between Gaspar and guitarist Mike McCready.[4]
Discography
Pearl Jam
| Year | Title | Label | Track(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Riot Act | Epic | Some |
| 2003 | 2003 Official Bootlegs (Australia, Japan, and North America) | Epic | Some |
| Big Fish: Music from the Motion Picture | Sony | "Man of the Hour" | |
| 2004 | Hot Stove, Cool Music, Vol. 1 | Fenway | "Bu$hleaguer" (live) |
| Live at Benaroya Hall | BMG | Some | |
| For the Lady | Rhino/WEA | "Better Man" (live) | |
| rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991–2003) | Epic | "I Am Mine", "Save You", and "Man of the Hour" | |
| 2006 | Pearl Jam | J | Some |
| 2007 | Live at the Gorge 05/06 | Rhino/WEA | Some |
| 2008 | 2008 United States Official Bootlegs | Kufala | Some |
References
- ^ a b Burlingame, Burl. "Way to go Boom!" Honolulu Star-Bulletin. April 20, 2007.
- ^ Mills, Fred. "Yield Not". Seattle Weekly. November 6, 2002.
- ^ Paiva, Derek. "Friendship takes stage at Pearl Jam concert". The Honolulu Advertiser. December 1, 2006.
- ^ Ashare, Matt. "Pearl Jam at the Garden: Less is Still More". The Phoenix. May 26, 2006.
External links
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